The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-06-30

themselves completely ABOUT, as
they were two puppets pulled by one
string.
There was great silence. Then n
sudden dry sound clacked in tho air.
The viscount had slapped his adver-
sary's face. Every body jumped up
to interfere. Cards were exchanged.
n n y
After the viscount returned home
that night he began to walk up and
down his room with great, quick
strides. He was too much excited to
tn nj, about anything. One solitary
idea kept hoveringin his mind-a duel
although the idea itself had not
vet awakened any special emotion.
He had done Just what he ought to
have done; he had behaved as he ought
to have behaved. He would be
spoken OF, would be approved, would
be congratulated. Herepeated aloud:
"What vulgar brute the fellow isl"
Then he sat down and began to
think. He would have to procure
seconds in the morning. Whom would
he choose? He thought OF all the most
celebrated and most dignified men OF
his acquaintance. Finally he selected
the Marquis de la Tour Noire and
Colonel Bourdin; great nobleman
and q great soldier-that would be
just the thing. Their names would
have weight in the newspapers. He
suddenly discovered that he was
thirsty, and he drank three glasses OF
water, one after another; then he be-
gan to walk up and down again. He
felt full of energy. BY showing himself
to be plucky, ready for anything and
everything, and by insisting upon
rigorous and dangerous conditions
by demanding serious, very serious,
terrible duel--his adversary would be
probably scared and make apologies.
He took up the mans card, which
he had drawn out OF his pocket as he
entered and had flung on the table,
and he read it over again, as he had
already read it in the cafe with q
glance, and as he had also read it in
the carriage by every passing gaslight.
GEORGE LAAnL, 81 Rue Money"
Nothing more.
He examined the letters OF this
name, which seemed to him myster-
ious-full OF vague significance.
George Lamil. Who was the fellow
What did he doY What did hestare at
the women in that way for? Wasn'tit
disgusting to think that a stranger, q
man nobody knew anything about,
could worry mans life in that way,
Just by taking notion to fix his eyes
insolently upon q woman's face? And
the viscount repeated again aloud:
what q vulgar brute thefellow isl"
Then he remained standing motion
less, thinking, keeping his eyes fixed
upon the card. A rage arose within
him against that bit OF paper-a fury
Of hate mingled with strange sense
OF uneasiness. It was O. stupid mess,
all this affair! He seized an open pen
knife lying beside him and jabbed it
into the middle OF the printed name,
as il he were stabbing somebody.
So he would have to fight! Should
he choose swords or pistols?-for he
considered himself to be the party in
suited. With swords he might run less
risk; but by choosing pistols, he might
be able to brighten his adversary into
withdrawing the challenge. 1t is very
seldom that duel with swords is fatal,
as reciprocal prudence generally pre-
vents the combatants from fencing at
such close quarters that the blades
can inhict very deep thrust. With
pistols his life would be seriously en-
dangered; but again, he might be able
to extricate himself from the difficulty
with honor, and yet without an ac-
tual meeting. He exclaimed
al must be firm. He will show the
white feather"
The sound OF his own voice made
him start, and he looked around him.
He felt very nervous. He drank an
other glass OF water, and began to nm
dress in order to 60 to bed.
As soon as he got into bed, he blew
out the light and closed his eyes.
He thought: ~ have the whole day
tomorrow to arrange my affairs.
The best thing can do is to take a
good sleep to settle my nerves."
He felt very warm between the
sheets; and still he could not sleep.
| He turned over and over-remained
for five minutes on his back-then for
five minutes on his right side-then he
rolled over on his left side. He felt
thirsty again. He got up for a drink.
Then a new anxiety came upon him.
ais it possible that ! could be
afraidf"
Why did his heart start to beating
so wildly at the least little familiar
noise in his roomY When the clock
was about to strike, the click OF the
little spring rising up caused him a
violent start, and he felt such weight
| :. -. 1877 To- eayarol r,onnents that